Sociological Perspectives on the Ecological Model

Authors

Ronald Mancoske, University of Alabama

Abstract

Germain and Siporin have written social work practice texts which seek to integrate diverse material into practice through an ecological model. Part of the integration deals with the issue of micro-macro practice which has been a dichotomous issue throughout social work traditions. Four perspectives which Kemeny used to analyze a similar dichotomy in sociology offer insights and caveats for social work to consider as it uses general systems theory as a framework for practice. The four perspectives are called the competitive, the inclusive, the exclusive, and the cumulative. This paper traces similar developmental notions in the sociological literature and notes ideas of possible interest to social work.

Recommended Citation

Mancoske, Ronald (1981) "Sociological Perspectives on the Ecological Model," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 8: Iss. 4, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.1585
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol8/iss4/4